Rhode Island Rent Increase Notice Letter

State Cap: No statute. Statewide, Rhode Island has no limit on rent increase amounts (§ 34-18-16.1). Municipalities may establish local limits; for example, New Shoreham (Block Island) caps annual rent adjustments locally.

Notice Period: Landlords must provide at least 60 days‘ advance written notice before a rent increase takes effect for a residential tenancy (§ 34-18-16.1(a)). For month-to-month tenants who are 62 years of age or older, state law requires at least 120 days‘ advance written notice (§ 34-18-16.1(b)).

Proof of Service: Notice must be delivered in writing by personal in-hand delivery to the tenant or via first-class mail addressed to the tenant’s dwelling unit or designated place of receipt (§ 34-18-16.1; § 34-18-14(b)).

Prohibited Acts: Landlords cannot increase rent to retaliate against tenants for reporting housing code violations, joining a tenant union, or asserting legal rights (§ 34-18-46), nor for discriminatory reasons under the Rhode Island Fair Housing Practices Act (§ 34-37-4).